Prediction market Kalshi is attracting new traders with a $55 incentive for those using specific promo codes. New users must deposit $10 and trade $25 on event contracts, such as upcoming NBA games, to qualify for the credit.

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The $10 entry fee for a $55 Kalshi bonus

Kalshi is currently offering a $55 bonus to new users who utilize promo codes AMNY55 or NYPMAX55.. To unlock the credit, the report says users must make an initial deposit of at least $10 and execute $25 in total trades. This low barrier to entry is designed to draw in retail traders to the platform's event-based contracts.

The promotion is specifically tied to events on October 23, 2026, including college football and NBA matchups.. According to the report, the $25 trading requirement can be met through a single large bet or several smaller positions across different qualifying markets,providing significant flexibility for beginners.

A $174,130 volume bet on the Spurs and Rockets

In the featured NBA market for the October 23 game, the San Antonio Spurs currently hold a 64% implied win probability. The Houston Rockets are the underdogs at 36%, though the report notes a recent 5 percentage point swing in momentum toward Houston. Total trading volume for this specific matchup has already reached $174,130 on the Kalshi exchange.

These figures highlight how Kalshi transforms sports outcomes into financial instruments. Rather than traditional betting odds, users trade contracts that pay out based on the binary outcome of the game,allowing for a more transparent view of market sentiment regarding the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.

CFTC regulation and the rise of event contracts

By operating as a CFTC-regulated exchange, Kalshi distinguishes itself from traditional offshore sportsbooks or unregulated prediction sites. The platform allows users to speculate on a wide array of outcomes, ranging from climate events and cryptocurrency fluctuations to political elections and cultural milestones.

This move toward regulated event contracts reflects a broader trend of financializing predictions. By bringing these markets under the purview of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Kalshi is positioning event trading as a legitimate asset class rather than mere gambling, appealing to a more sophisticated class of retail investor.

Why users in Arizona and Ohio remain excluded

Despite the wide availability of the platform, Kalshi is not accessible in all U.S. jurisdictions. Specifically, the $55 bonus is unavailable to residents of Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, and Washington.

It remains unclear whether these exclusions are due to specific state-level gaming laws or a phased rollout strategy by Kalshi. The source does not clarify why these specific nine states are barred while others,such as Texas and New York, are fully eligible. Prospective users are encouraged to verfy their local eligibility before attempting to register.

Identity verification for Kalshi registration

To register for the platform, new customers must provide their legal name and address for identity verification. Users can sign up via email, Google, or Apple ID, provided they enter the promo code during the initial registration process to ensure the bonus is attached to the account.

Once the identity verification is complete and the $10 deposit is made, users can begin trading. However, Kalshi warns that event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for every investor,emphasizing the need for users to review the terms at kalshi.com/tc/55.